Senator Pam Helming and Senator Rich Funke Announce Agreement for 2017 Racing Season at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack

New York State Senators Pam Helming (R,C,I-54^th District) and Rich Funke (R,C,I-55^th District) are pleased to announce that Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack (FLGR) has agreed to terms with the Finger Lakes Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association (FLHBPA) for the 2017 racing season. This agreement ends several months of negotiations, and guarantees a 56^th season of thoroughbred racing at FLGR.

“Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack has been a tourist destination for our area for over 50 years, attracting people and families from all parts of New York State and the country, while providing over 1,200 jobs for our local workforce. We cannot underestimate the positive ripple effect that this agreement will have on our region’s small businesses, agriculture and other important economic drivers. I am pleased that we were able to ensure that the horsemen were fairly compensated and Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack can continue to operate and provide critically important tourism revenue for our local economy. My sincere thanks to all parties involved in helping to secure this agreement, including leadership of FLHBPA, Delaware North and my colleagues Senator Rich Funke and Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb,” said Senator Helming.

By law, 8.75% of gaming revenue at FLGR is used to support the thoroughbred racing purses. This agreement is based on the anticipated gaming revenue drop-off at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack as a result of the del Lago Casino & Resort opening in nearby Seneca County. Under the agreement, FLGR will contribute a minimum of an additional $600,000 and up to $1 million in funding for purses, subject to the impact to its gaming revenue in 2017. Additionally, the New York Breeders Association will contribute $1.5 million for purse enhancements and del Lago Casino & Resort will contribute $447,000 per year over the next two years. Recent estimates put Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack’s positive economic impact at $80 million annually, significantly contributing to the Finger Lakes’ regional economy.

"I'm grateful a solution is in place to save over 1,200 local jobs and our region's racing heritage at Finger Lakes,” said Senator Funke. “After prolonged state inaction, I offered a proposal to advance the conversation with the goal of preserving a vital economic and tourism asset here. Thanks to the partnership of Senator Helming and others we succeeded in the home stretch, with horse racing and hundreds of jobs now secure at Finger Lakes through 2017 and beyond.”

Under the agreement, the 2017 thoroughbred racing season is scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 22 and will extend 145 days through Tuesday, November 28. For more information, please visit www.fingerlakesracetrack.com.

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